American Idol: The Search for a ... did you say Su...Rating: 4 likes, 0 dislikes

In the past, American Idol has launched the careers of big stars, such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Chris Daughtry, just to name a few of many more. However, recently, past winners Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks were dropped from their label and last season's winner, seventeen year old Jordin Spark's album arrived with only lackluster sales, despite a charming collection of songs.

Is this the beginning of the end? Is American Idol done searching for superstars, and instead of looking for undiscovered talent, are looking for failed singers who failed to make it big on their own? With people like Sanjaya Malakar in the finals, is this show all about entertainment, instead of an actual singing competition?

I have been watching the show since the first season (although I missed most of the last half of the second season) and the show is becoming less...of a Cinderella story. FOX only airs the ear-wrenching train wrecks of auditions, in place of showing auditions with actual talent in them. It is not that I do not mind the amateurishness of the auditions, it is just that I wish they would balance the bad with more of the good. (Also, even though they do not air it, I wish the producers would stop turning away excellent singers, in place of "good television"). Each year, the Hollywood rounds have been cut shorter and shorter- this upcoming season having it packed into an hour broadcast.

If we are supposed to vote for our next American Idol, shouldn't we get time to know them, instead of focusing on all the bad people who are just going to be turned away? I remember in the first season, they showed the cast members each episode, talked about them, and filmed them as they all lived in a Hollywood mansion. I think that's why so many people loved Kelly, is because they met her wonderful personality. Who's Phil Stacey? Why should I vote for him? I mean, if the show is all about ratings- less about singing, you would think they would love every opportunity to get more ratings by showing off their newfound talent, and showing the world what they are about .

Some of the new additions to the show (mentors, the chair, Idol Gives Back, Golden Idol Awards) are "absolutely horrendous". No wonder Simon can no longer bear to sit there and listen.

In the end, I know it's just a reality show and they are just trying to get higher ratings, and appeal to a larger crowd, but the Simon Cowell in me can't help, but to pick apart every little thing, and just wish it would go back the shows roots, because in the end, is the show about the William Hung's and Sanjaya's....or is it about the Kelly and the Carrie's?